Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Question 1

MDS - Pathophysiology

Answer 1

• Precancerous state
• Abnormal cell formation in bone marrow; destroyed by body after release; dcr in all blood cell types (pancytopenia)
• 30% develop acute leukemia

Question 2

MDS - Risk Factors

Answer 2

• >65yrs
• Exposure to chemicals
  > pesticides, benzene
• Tobacco smoke
• Chemotherapy/radiation

Question 3

MDS - Diagnostics

Answer 3

• Cytogenetic testing
  > looks at abnormal chromosomes
• Peripheral blood smears
  > looks at cell abnormalities

Question 4

MDS - Medical Treatment

Answer 4

• Supportive Care
• Blood/platelet transfusions
  > Epoetin (Procrit) injections
• Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant only curative treatment
• Immunomodulatory agents
  > Azathioprine (Imuran)